Sorting devices for leather or similar materials



Dem 1964 H. "BUHLINGER 3,

SORTING DEVICES FOR LEATHER OR SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed July 18, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F l G- I.

F' l G. 2. F l G. 3-

a /9 2: ii? W aa; l v /7 =i IN VE NTO R HERMANN BUHLINGER ATTORNEYS Dec. 8, 1964 H. BUHLINGER 3,160,294

SORTING DEVICES FOR LEATHER OR SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed July 18, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-4- FIGY-5. v

F I G- 6.

Md Al V I l J FIG. 6A

[7 MENTOR NN BUHLINGER I HERMA ATTORN EYS United States Patent 3,1t56,24 SORTEQG DEVICES FUR LEATHER GR SIMILAR MATERIALS Hermann Buhlhiger, Zeughausstrasse '2, Tuttlingen,

Wurttemherg, Germany Filed July 18, 1961, Ser. No. 1243M Qlaims priority, application Germany July 19, 19% 16 Claims. (611214-16) The present invention relates to a sorting device for leather and similar materials which makes possible the transfer of the pieces of leather or leather-like material piled in difierent classes from the sorting tables to the transport racks or from the transport racks to the storage racks. The invention performs such functions in a simple manner which is time-saving and assures gentle treatment of the material.

As is known, in the leather processing industry the leather supplied as raw material is initially examined as to its nature and sorted according to the possible uses thereof. Customarily the pieces of leather which are packed individually in bales or rolls are sorted preferably into two classes and each class loaded individually on transport racks made ready for them, by which the presorted leather is brought to the intended place of storage.

At the storage place the leather must again be removed from the transport racks and placed on shelves or hung over rods, where it remains until it is processed. Before that, however, the stored'presorted leather must again be loaded onto conveyor racks and again brought to the sorting tables on which it is finally sorted for its processing. The individual sorted types of leather are then rolled together into bales and sent to the working stations intended for same. This unproductive but neces sary preliminary work which entails the presorting as well as the actual sorting of the leather is extremely cumbersome and time-consuming and furthermore always requires the work of several persons who must be taken from the normal work process. Since all of this sorting and loading work must be done by hand, it is frequently impossible to avoid damaging of the leather by careless handling.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, the same being realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

In accordance with the present invention the said disadvangtages are avoided in such a manner that the sorting table is divided at its center, and the table tops of these two parts of the sorting table are supported in such a manner, that they can be swung down towards the floor, each table top being so dimensioned that in its horizontal position it forms in the center of the sorting table a slot-shaped space with the sorting table provided laterally, on one end of the slot-shaped space, with a lifting device on which there is arranged a pallet support which can be raised and lowered by said lifting device and in its starting position rests in the slot-shaped space, the bottom I below the sorting table having a guide for a movable transport rack and the storage consisting of individual storage boxes.

The invention which consists in the novel parts, construction, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described will be described in further detail with reference to the drawing in which one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 shows in plan view a preferred arrangement of several tables for the sorting of leather and similar materials;

FIGURE 2 shows in front elevation a sorting table with lift device;

3,169,294 Patented Dec. 8, 1964 "ice FIGURE 3 shows in side view the sorting table with lift device of FIGURE 2; e

FIGURE 4 shows in front view a transport rack;

FIGURE 5 shows in side view the transport rack of FIGURE 4; and f FIGURE 6 shows a storage box in front view and FIG- URE 6A is a view in section of a detail thereof.

In accordance with the preferred arrangement of three tables for the sortingof leather and similar materials shown in FIGURE 1, there is provided on each side of a work table A on which pieces of leather which are to be pre-sorted (not described in further detail), a sorting table B on which table the sorted pieces of leather are placed. The sorting table B is divided in the center as shown in FIGURE 2 and has two table tops 1 which lie in a plane is effected by means of pins 4A which fix the supporting rods 3 in their sleeves 4, the supporting rods 3 being displaceable in lengthwise'direction and the holding pins 4A being disengageable by means of a rope pull device 5 common to both supporting rods 3 and sleeves 4 by way of respective rope sections 5A and 5B. The complete connection of the latter is omitted for clarity.

When it is necessary to swing the table tops 1 towards the floor, the pins 4A are actuated by means of the ropepull device 5, whereby the supporting rods 3 lose their support and the sleeves are freed. The supporting rods 3 now slide lengthwise in their sleeves 4 as a result of the swinging'motion of the table tops 1 which swing downward as a result of gravity. Since the supporting rods 3 each have their one end fastened in pivoted but non-displaceable manner to the respective table top 1, the angle made by each supporting rod 3 with the floor, continuously varies as the respective table top swings. Accordingly it is necessary to arrange the sleeves 4 pivotally on the sorting table B so that they can incline in accordance with the corresponding change in position of the sup porting rods 3 which slide in them so as not to interfere with the sliding movement of said supporting rods.

At one end of the slot-shaped space formed by the table tops in their horizontal position thereis provided laterally on the sorting table Ba lift device which consists of a column 6 perpendicular to the table tops 1, a carriage 8 and a pallet carrier 7 fastened to the latter, as well as a motor 10, a pull-rope 12 and a guide-pulley 11. The column 6 is firmly connected with the base plate of the sorting table B at such a height that it extends over the sorting table B by about half the table length.

The column 6 serves as guide for the carriage 8 which is slidably coupled thereto via a roller 88 on the inside of the column and a pair of rollers SA on the outer side. The carriage can be raised and lowered thereon with the aid of the rollers. The carriage 8 is in this connection moved by the motor it via the pullrope 12.

The pull-rope 12, as is generally customary in the case of tackle blocks, has one end advisedly fastened to a fixed point which is provided in the present embodiment at the upper end of the column 6 while its other end is fastened, after several turns ofthe pull-rope 12, to the drive pulley of the motor 10, a returning of the pull-rope 12 being effected by a pin or the like which is arranged on the carriage 8 and in which return the carriage 8 can be raised or lowered by the pull-rope 12 via the pin, etc. arranged on the carriage of the hollow body there extend, spaced from each other, two straps 17a which are fastened to the two side walls of the hollow body. In each of these straps there is provided an. opening 17b which'is adapted to receive a pin 22 forming part of structure described more fully hereinafter. On the floor below the sorting table B there is provided a guide rail 13 which preferably is aligned with the axis of the pallet carrier '7 and guide rollers 16.

In cooperation with the described sorting table B, the sorting device is provided with at least one transport rack on which the sorted leather etc. can be transported to storage. This transport rack consists in its essential parts, as shown by FIGURE 4, of an undercarriage 14 and a supporting pedestal 21 of adjustable height. The undercarriage 14 has on its bottom surface four caster wheels 15 and guide rollers 16, the latter being arranged in the longitudinal axis of the undercarriage. On the undercarriage 14 two vertical hollow supporting columns 18 are fastened, one in the center of each of the narrow sides of the undercarriage. 'A transverse connection 19 connects the supporting columns 18 andis fastened to the upper end of said columns. On the transverse connection 19 there are provided three rotatably supported pulleys 20. In each of thehollow supporting columns 18 there is arranged an axially displaceable guide rod 23 the upper ends'of which extend the same distance out of the supporting columns, the vertically adjustable supporting pedestal 21 being seated on said upper ends of the guide bars 23. a

On the supporting pedestal 21 there are arranged receiving pins 22. In order to adjust the height of the supporting pedestal 21 there is provided on each supporting column 18 a rod which on the one side is connected with the supporting pedestal 21 and on the other side extends via a part bevelled at its lower end into a slit-shaped guide arranged in each supporting column 18. Each of these rods is connected at its lower end with an end of one of two pull ropes 24 while the other ends of the two ropes 24 are jointly fastened to a lever 25 arranged on the transport rack. With each of the two 50 The transfer of the pieces of leather packed in classes.

from the sorting tables to the transport rack or from the i lifted and in the upper end position of the pallet 17, hang over it on both sides. The upper end position of the pallet 17 is defined by a limit switch 9 which is actuated by a switch pin schematically shown at 9A and connected with the lift carriage 8 whereby the motor 10 is deenergized. In this elevated position of the pallet 17 with the'pieces of leather lying on it, the transport rack is pushed in such a manner into the sorting table B that the supporting pedestal 21 comes to lie in the slot-shaped space of the sorting table B directly below the pallet 17. Thisis readily possible by the arrangement of the guide rail 13 below the sortingtable B which cooperates with the guide rollers 16 arranged on the bottom surface of the undercarriage 14. The pallet is supported on carrier 7 as shown in FIGURE 2 so that clearance for pedestal 21 is insured.

As soon as the transport rack has been brought in the manner described into the sorting table B, another, limit ground by means of the pull rope (tackle) device 5. The descending pallet 17 as soon as it is seated on the 1 direction for the transport rack by cooperation with thetransport racks to the sorting rack is effected in the fol- I lowing manner:

The pieces of leather etc. packed'in rolls or bales are laid out on the work table A for pre-sorting on the two sorting tables B which are preferably symmetrical to the work table A. Before the. pre-sorting, a pallet 17 is placed on each of the pallet carriers 7 as shown in supporting pedestal 21 suspends itself by means of the openings 17b provided in its two straps 17a, from the pins 22 arranged on the supporting pedestal 21. At the same time by means of the switch pin provided on the lift carriage 8 the lower limit switch'9C is actuated and the motor 16 disconnected again.

The pallet 17 seated on the supporting pedestal 21 and bearing the pieces of leather hanging over it is now connected via the pins 22 with the transport rack so that the pallet 1'7 is removed from the pallet carrier 7 as soon as the transport rack is again moved out of the sorting table B. The pre-sorted pieces of leather which have been loaded easily and rapidly in this way onto the transport rack can now be brought to storage.

The pre-sorted pieces of leather are stored in storage boxes which have devices for supporting the pallets 17 with the pieces of leather 3i; (FIGURE 6) hanging over them. The individual storage boxes therefore consist only of a narrow elongated metal frame which is provided in the upper part of each of its two narrow sides with a cross member 28 which connects to sides or legs 27, the cross member 23 being removable from the narrow side established as a front side of the storage rack or swing-v able towards a leg 27.

The storage box is so wide that a transport rack of the type described above can conveniently be moved into it Without thereby contacting the sides 27. The length of the storage box corresponds approximately to the length of the pallet 17.

In order to introduce the storage rack there is provided on the bottom of the storage box a guide 29 which corresponds in its dimensions to the guide rail 13 below the sorting table B and which guide 29 establishing the guide rollers 16 thereof. The loaded transport rack is brought to the front side of the storage box from which the cross member 28 is now removed or loosened from a leg 27 and swung at the pivot point at the other leg 27 towards same whereupon the transport rack can be moved into the storage box. 7

There is advantageously provided on the rear end of the storage box a stop e.g. one such as schematically indicated at 2913 which determines the end position of the transport rack brought into the storage box.. It should also be pointed out that a stop which determines the end position of the transport rack can also be provided on the sorting table B.

As soon as the transport rack is in the storage box, the cross member 28 is again brought into its starting position Now, by means of the lever 25 of the transport rack, the supporting pedestal 21 with the pallet 17 seated thereon is lowered. The pallet 17 in this connection comes to lie via its two ends on the cross members 28 extending transversely to it and is finally supported on both sides upon the cross members 28 by further lowering of the supporting pedestal 21. At the same time the pins 22 of the supporting pedestal 21 are removed from the openings provided in the straps of the pallet 17. The supporting pedestal 21 is now lowered below the cross member 18 to such an extent that none of its parts contests the cross member 28 when the transport rack is moved out of the storage box.

For their further treatment the sorted and now stored pieces of leather are brought in the same manner but merely in reverse sequence back to the sorting table B and transferred on it to a transport rack which is preferably not adjustable in height and thus finally brought to the working stations. Instead of the supporting table B an intermediate pedestal can also be used for transferring the pallet 17 from one transport rack to another.

The special advantage of the sorting device in accordance with the invention is that even a very large number of pieces of leather can be rapidly sorted by a single person and easily brought into the intended storage boxes. The latter is possible due to the fact that the time consuming tiring work of transferring the sorted pieces of leather from the sorting table to the transport racks and from the latter again onto the storage racks etc. is now effected by machine. Furthermore damage to the individual pieces of leather such as is unavoidable upon loading or unloading pieces of leather by hand is completely excluded. Furthermore by the use of relatively narrow storage boxes which can be placed together in any desired sequence a clear and space-saving storage of the leather is assured. Since the stored leather can be removed With a few manipulations from the storage boxes, they can easily be kept clean without any substantial expenditure of time.

The invention is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. A sorting device for leather and similar materials comprising sorting tables, portable transport racks, and storage means for storing the sorted leather, said storage means comprising at least one storage box, and one of said sorting tables comprising a pair of table tops, releasable supporting means for supporting said table tops so that they can be swung towards the ground, said table tops being so dimensioned that in their horizontal position they form in the center of the sorting table a slot-shaped space, said table also including lifting means provided on one end of the slot-shaped space, a pallet carrier adapted to carry a pallet and to be raised and lowered by said lifting means, said pallet carrier and lifting means being adapted to locate said pallet carrier in its initial position in said slotshaped space and a guide located adjacent the floor below the sorting table, said guide being adapted to guide said portable transport racks.

2. A sorting device according to claim 1 in which said table tops include legs and are pivotally supported on said legs, and in which said supporting means comprise a plurality of supporting bars each pivotally connected at its one end of the respective table top, and a sleeve for supporting the other free end parts of said supporting rods.

3. A sorting device according to claim 2, in which the free end part of each supporting rod is longitudinally displaceable in its sleeve.

4. A sorting device according to claim 2 including a holding pin in each sleeve and tackle means connecting said holding pins for controlling said supporting function of said sleeve. 1

5. A sorting device according to claim 2 in which said sleeves are pivotally arranged with inclinable axes on said supporting table.

6. A sorting device according to claim 1 in which said lifting means comprise a column, a carriage guided thereon and having said pallet carrier thereto fastener, a motor, rope and guide pulley means responsible to said motor and coupled to said carriage for moving the same.

7. A sorting device according to claim 6 in which said pallet carrier is fastened in position to the carriage and located thereon so that in the starting position of said carriage, said carrier rests in said slot-shaped space.

8. A sorting device according to claim 1 in which said pallet is adapted to be releasably mounted on said pallet carrier.

9. A sorting device according to claim 8, in which said pallet comprises an elongated hollow body of trapezoidal cross-section formed of sheet metal and open toward the bottom, said pallet being provided on its inside with a pair of spaced straps localted transversely over the lower open end of the hollow body and fastened to the side walls of said body, said straps each having an opening therein.

10. A sorting device according to claim 1 in which said guide comprises a guide rail extending below said pallet carrier and parallel to the axis thereof.

11. A sorting device according to claim 6, including a plurality of limit switches provided on said column for controlling said motor.

12. A sorting device according to claim 1, in which said transport rack comprises an undercarriage and a vertically adjustable supporting pedestal.

13. A sorting device according to claim 12 in which said undercarriage has guide rollers on its bottom surface for guiding said rack with respect to said table and storage means.

14. A sorting device according to claim 12, including two receiving pins on said supporting pedestal for aligning said pedestal with said pallet.

15. A sorting device according to claim 1 in which said storage box includes means for supporting said pallet and a guide on the bottom of said box for guiding said transport rack.

16. A sorting device according to claim 1 in which said storage box consists of a narrow elongated metal frame, and a cross member arranged at the top of each of the two narrow sides of said frame and connected thereto, one of said cross members being movable relative to said frame for providing access to the interior of said frame by said transport rack.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,869,150 Jackson July 26, 1932 

1. A SORTING DEVICE FOR LEATHER AND SIMILAR MATERIALS COMPRISING SORTING TABLES, PORTABLE TRANSPORT RACKS, AND STORAGE MEANS FOR STORING THE SORTED LEATHER, SAID STORAGE MEANS COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE STORAGE BOX, AND ONE OF SAID SORTING TABLES COMPRISING A PAIR OF TABLES TOPS, RELEASABLE SUPPORTING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID TABLE TOPS SO THAT THEY CAN BE SWUNG TOWARDS THE GROUND, SAID TABLE TOPS BEING SO DIMENSIONED THAT IN THEIR HORIZONTAL POSITION THEY FORM IN THE CENTER OF THE SORTING TABLE A SLOT-SHAPED SPACE, SAID TABLE ALSO INCLUDING LIFTING MEANS PROVIDED ON ONE END OF THE SLOT-SHAPED SPACE, A PALLET CARRIER ADAPTED TO CARRY A PALLET AND TO BE RAISED AND LOWERED BY SAID LIFTING MEANS, SAID PALLET CARRIER AND LIFTING MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO LOCATE SAID PALLET CARRIER IN ITS INITIAL POSITION IN SAID SLOTSHAPED SPACE AND A GUIDE LOCATED ADJACENT THE FLOOR BELOW THE SORTING TABLE, SAID GUIDE BEING ADAPTED TO GUIDE SAID PORTABLE TRANSPORT RACKS. 